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On Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement to companies and workers in areas of “critical infrastructure,” building on an earlier directive handed down by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“As the nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16, the president issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America,” the statement read. “This guidance states that: ‘If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

Bush Hog in Selma was one such company to receive the advisory and it intends to continue to do its work while taking additional precautions to protect workers and those they come in contact with.

In a recently issued statement, Bush Hog announced that it will “continue production of products and supply or parts” from its Selma facility in order to support “farmers and ranchers who provide critical food, feed and fiber necessary for supplies for consumers worldwide.”

The statement notes that the manufacturer will “operate using the safest personal hygiene, social distancing, site cleaning and other measures recommended by [the] World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

“The health and safety of people is our most important business and moral responsibility,” the statement said.

On top of observing the recommendations handed down by the WHO and the CDC, Bush Hog has implemented its own additional workplace precautions in order to better protect the safety of all of those involved in its business, including limiting person-to-person contact, increasing on-site sanitation procedures, canceling all planned travel and having employees work from home where possible.

“Bush Hog will continue to operate under these conditions, closely monitor the situation and will add other preventive measures if possible,” the statement said. “We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees, our dealers, our suppliers, our customers and all we interact with while providing products and parts to our customers. We encourage everyone to take health and safety precautions while working and at home. With nationwide cooperation, we pray for a return to normal.”